Lucas Sims | Starting Pitcher

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Braves RHP prospect Lucas Sims allowed just one hit over 5 2/3 innings Sunday in a loss for Double-A Mississippi.

Sims was done in by the five walks he allowed. Sunday was just his second start since getting called up from High-A Carolina on July 21. Sims has struck out 11 hitters in those two outings with the same number of walks. The 21-year-old has posted an ugly 1.55 WHIP in 54 2/3 innings this season. Jul 27 - 2:40 PM

He posted a 5.18 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 37/23 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 40 innings (nine starts) at High-A Carolina. Ranked as the No. 54 overall prospect by Baseball Prospectus headed into the season, Sims spent most of May and June on the disabled list with an undisclosed injury suffered in the May 12 bus crash involving the Mudcats. The 21-year-old right-hander struggled in his return to Carolina on July 5, but had posted a 0.97 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 9 1/3 frames across his last two starts. This will be Sims' first taste of the Double-A level. Jul 21 - 12:54 PM

The 2012 first-round pick hasn't lived up to expectations, but he's done a bit better over his last two starts (2.08 ERA in 13 innings). Sims tied a season-high with six strikeouts Saturday while only allowing one walk. The one walk is particularly encouraging for Sims, who has already given up 15 free passes in just 27 2/3 innings. May 10 - 4:51 PM

Braves right-handed pitching prospect Lucas Sims went seven innings for High-A Lynchburg on Wednesday, scattering six hits and two walks while striking out seven.

Sims was hit relatively hard despite the good strikeout rate, allowing three singles, two doubles, and a triple. He has had a rough season, but the Braves have always done well developing pitchers, so Sims' poor stat line will be viewed through the lens of rose-colored glasses. He was the No. 21 overall pick in 2012. Thu, Jul 17, 2014 10:29:00 AM

Depth Charts

Simmons was injured on Saturday when he jammed the thumb on a play in left field. It looks like he'll avoid the disabled list for now, as the Braves are hopeful he'll only miss a few games. Daniel Castro is filling in at shortstop Sunday.

Dian Toscano has begun working out at the Braves' spring training complex.

Toscano, 26, signed a four-year, $6 million free-agent contract with the Braves in December, but the paperwork has not yet cleared. The Cuban defector will be assigned to a minor league affiliate once that happens. Toscano profiles as a fourth outfielder.

Mike Minor underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Minor will wind up missing the entire 2015 season, though he is expected to be ready for spring training in 2016. The left-hander was limited to 145 1/3 innings last year due to shoulder issues and registered a 4.77 ERA when healthy. He'll be a non-tender candidate this winter after winning $5.6 million via arbitration in February.

Braves placed RHP Daniel Winkler on the 60-day disabled list with a right elbow injury.

Winkler was plucked in the Rule 5 Draft over the winter even though he had Tommy John surgery last June. The Braves will stash him on the DL and let him rehab in the minors, meaning they won't have to add him to the roster until August or September.

Withrow underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery last June and probably won't become an option for the Braves' bullpen until after the All-Star break. The 26-year-old right-hander had posted a promising 2.73 ERA, 1.089 WHIP, and 71 strikeouts in 56 career major league innings before tearing his right ulnar collateral ligament. He could be a nice find for Atlanta if he makes a full recovery.

Rodriguez has been limited to 10 1/3 innings of relief this season due to left elbow issues, but he resumed throwing on Wednesday and could make his Braves debut at some point in September. The 24-year-old has flashed the stuff of a top left-handed specialist.